General information

TALLINN, CITY HOST OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. From the 13th century until 1918 in languages other than Estonian, the city was known as Reval. Tallinn occupies an area of 159.2 km2 and has a population of 453,328.

Tallinn, first mentioned in 1219, received city rights in 1248, but the earliest human settlements date back 5,000 years. The initial claim over the land was laid by the Danes in 1219, followed by a period of alternating Scandinavian and German rule. Due to its strategic location, the city became a major trade hub, especially from the 14th to the 16th century, when it grew in importance as part of the Hanseatic League.

Tallinn is the major political, financial, cultural and educational center of Estonia. Often dubbed the Silicon Valley of Europe, it has the highest number of startups per person in Europe and is a birthplace of many international companies, including Skype. The city is to house the headquarters of the European Union IT agency. Providing to the global cybersecurity it is the home to the NATO Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence. European Capital of Culture for 2011, along with Turku in Finland.

Tallinn in Estonia and Helsinki in Finland are considered to be sister towns and cooperate intensively especially after 1992 when Estonia got back the independence as a free Republic.

Old Town: Tallinn’s main attractions are located in the Old Town of Tallinn (divided into a “lower town” and Toompea hill), and it is easily explored on foot. Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Town Hall Square has been used as a market place, and it is the center of Old Tallinn.

THE VENUE

EFTA-NFTO Conference 2019 are located in the Tallinn Teachers’ House, which is in the centre of Old Town. The Teachers’ House is an events and training centre in Tallinn Old Town, situated just in the Town Hall Square.

Its historical milieu and the neoclassical rooms create an inspiring atmosphere and festive feeling for every event. You can have a look by an open virtual tour on the webpage http://opetajatemaja.ee/en/.

10. May

Hilton Tallinn Park; address Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 23, Tallinn.

11. May

Maarjamäe loss; address Pirita tee 56, 10127 Tallinn.

ARRIVING TO TALLINN

There are good flight connections to Tallinn, Estonia, from major cities in Europe. Other public transportation options are available, too, like bus and ferry. And your own car might be an option, too.

There are good flight connections to Tallinn, Estonia, from major cities in Europe. Other public transportation options are available, too, like bus and ferry. And your own car might be an option, too.

1. Airport:

The Lennart Meri Airport is about 4 kilometers from Town Hall Square. (Raekoja plats). Public transportation in good:

Tram no. 4, stop Viru

Bus no. 2, stop Viru

Taxi – all taxis are legal at the airport, 10 EUR to the city centre

2. By bus:

There are good quality coach connections from all the Baltic capitals, and even from Russia, Poland and Germany.

3. By ferry

Ferry connections from Helsinki, Finland (2,5 hours), and some ferries from Stockholm, Sweden (12-15 hours), The harbour is quite close to the Old Town, the distance is about 1,5 km. The route takes you through the modern part of town to the medieval Old Town.

Taxi – companies Tallink (1921) and Tulika (1200) are the most secure, check the fees on the cars! The fee should be less than 10 EUR to the city centre.

Bus – no. 20A, goes not very often, stop Viru.

By foot 15-20 minutes

4. By car:

The Via Baltica highway (part of European route 67 from Helsinki to Prague) connects Tallinn to the Lithuanian/Polish border through Latvia. There are potentially parking services in our place of accommodation.

ACCOMMODATION

Registration fee doesn’t include accommodation, which is to be organised by participants themselves. Please, reserve and pay yourself your accommodation!

The accommodation in the center of Tallinn Old Town, in the Meriton Old Town Garden Hotel for the period of 08.-12.05.2019 (4 nights) our Standard rooms with the following special rates:

Standard SGL rooms – 74 €/room/night

Standard TWN rooms – 80 €/room/night

Room rates include buffet breakfast, WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities in the room, VAT.